Naja naja oxiana (Oxus Cobra)

Naja naja oxiana

Distinguishing Features

i. They are deadly venomous snakes.
ii. Their venom is neurotoxic in nature.
iii.The head is wide and slightly distinct from the neck.
iv. Posteriorly, their body is subcylindrical but anteriorly they are flattened dorso-ventrally.
v. The number of scales on the upper labial varies from 7 - 8. The 3^rd scale is the largest and touches the nasal shield and eye.
vi.The number of scales on the lower labial is 7, 8 or 9.
vii.The dorsal surface is uniformly dark brown and the ventral surface is pale yellow to white in colour.
viii.The hood is without the spectacle but a few dark bars are present on its ventral surface.
ix.The eyes are large with round pupil and have a good vision.
x.The chin and throat are uniformly dark.

Size

Its length varies from 1210 - 1650 mm.

Habit and Habitat

This specie of poisonous snakes is found in different habitats. They prefer damp grassland in the vicinity of the agricultural land and patches of Acacia scrub. One specimen has been collected from Kirthar National Kirthar National Park.

Cobras live in holes, clumps of munji grass and dens of small mammals such as porcupine, hare, hedgehog, scaly anteater, rats and mice. They are famous for their good vision. Whenever they come in contact with any predator especially human beings they become aggressive, move their hood to and fro, hiss loudly and strike repeatedly to save themslevesthem or to attack their predator. They are nocturnal in habit, but sometimes come out in the daytime also.

Food

They feed on lizards, frogs, small birds and small mammals such as rats and mice.

Distribution

They are found in all Southeast Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Srilanka and also in Transcaspia and Southern Turkamanistan.

In Pakistan, this specie is spread all over the country. It is found in the North – Eastern part of Punjab, Southern Part of Sindh and Lasbella (Balochsitan).

Breeding

Economic Importance

Their skin has great commercial value and is used in the making of shoes, purses, belts and other decorative pieces. Its venom is used for making anti-venom and painkillers. Ecologically they keep the rodent community in check and thus keep the ecosystem in balance.

Threats

They are rampantly hunted and killed by jogis and hunters for their large size and strong and tough skin. Even, villagers kill them due to the lack of knowledge and fear. Another reason of their of their vulnerability is the use of their venom in the preparation of anti-venom. They are kept in captivity for this purpose and due to the unavailability of proper food they lead to death.

Status

Rare, and enlisted in Red List of Threatened Animals, IUCN.